As someone who has some pretty major flight anxiety, I understand how easy it can be to let the anticipation of the journey overshadow the excitement of finally arriving at your destination. For me, having things on board that make me feel relaxed and at least somewhat in control of my environment can help ease the stress. Here are some of my favorite items to toss in my carry on to make sure I stay happy, healthy and calm during my flight.

1. Water Bottle

We all know how easy it can be to get dehydrated on a flight. I always make sure to bring a water bottle with me so that I can fill it up as soon as I get through the security line. This way I always have some on hand to sip throughout the flight and don’t have to rely on the flight attendant to stay hydrated. It’s best to use a glass or metal water bottle that doesn’t contain any endocrine disrupting chemicals. Decreasing plastic waste from single use cups is an added bonus!

2. Healthy Greens

It can be nearly impossible to find the time or opportunity to get your daily dose of greens while traveling. I discovered 8 Greens tablets last year and have been obsessed ever since. One tiny, fizzy tab contains 8 different types of greens containing vitamins and minerals that will help support immune function, promote detox, and support circulation. I always pop one into my water bottle to drink mid flight.

3. Natural Hand Sanitizer

As a bit of a germaphobe, having hand sanitizer with me on the plane makes me feel a little less freaked out by all the potentially not so clean things I have to touch. It’s a quick and easy way to make sure I don’t pick anything up on the flight and can enjoy myself once I arrive at my destination. My favorite is Everyone Peppermint Citrus Hand Sanitizer - they use non-GMO alcohol derived from sugar cane, and a blend of essential oils that will keep your in flight neighbor from turning up their nose at the smell of your sanitizing spray.

4. Healthy Snacks

One thing that I always find really challenging when traveling is finding healthy snack options. There is nothing worse than being anxious and hangry. Over the years I have tried basically every bar under the sun, and have been religiously chowing down on Rx Bars for the past several years. They are gluten and dairy free, taste amazing, and have only a few simple ingredients. I always keep a few Rx Bars with me to get me through long flights or between meals as my go-to way to avoid making bad decisions when in a pinch.

5. Rosewater Spray

There is nothing more refreshing and uplifting than a quick spritz of rosewater spray. This high vibe, hydrating spray is a great way to take a little bit of that just walked out of the spa feeling with you anywhere you go. I keep bottles of this pretty much everywhere, and my carry on is no exception. This super affordable brand has been a mainstay for years.

6. Lavender Essential Oil

Have I mentioned I have flight anxiety? I keep lavender essential oil handy for its calming and grounding effects. It helps me relax and focus my energy on something positive.

7. Charcoal Pills

As someone with a sensitive stomach and a history of digestive issues, these little guys have been a life saver. Digestive upset is super common when traveling to foreign countries and eating food you aren’t used to. If you feel like you may have consumed something that doesn’t agree with you, charcoal binds with toxins in the stomach and helps remove them before they can cause you harm.

8. Gaia Herbs Quick Defense

There is nothing worse than getting sick on vacation. I love to keep this 100% plant based herbal supplement handy in case I feel something coming on. If taken at the first sign of symptoms, they can help greatly reduce the severity of illness, or even ward it off completely.

9. Ginger Tablets

The combination of nerves and a sensitive stomach can sometimes leave me feeling queasy mid-flight. These yummy ginger tablets help relieve nausea, bloating and gas.

10. Journal

Whether I am feeling anxious or bored, having a journal handy to jot down my thoughts is extremely helpful. I also love to spend some time on the flight home writing about the highlights of the trip. This helps me connect to gratitude and remember how lucky I am to be able to go on adventures and experience new things.